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Wedding Requirements: St. Maarten

The Friendly Island of Sint Maarten Saint Martin is the smallest piece of land shared by two countries - Holland and France. "It's a little European with a lot Caribbean. " In the 36 square mile area, you will find yourself swept away by the breathtaking landscape, fluttering butterflies, blue turquoise waters, beautiful white sand beaches, luscious food, delightful Duty Free shopping, exciting nightlife and glorious Caribbean sunshine. St. Maarten St. Martin offers a delightful array of entertainment for families to honeymooners. During the day, aside from catching some rays and relaxing on the beach with a good book, there are many different activities available to experience on the island. Horseback riding, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, kayaking, hiking, sailing and deep sea fishing are just a few of the popular activities to get your vacation senses excited! During the evenings, enjoy the exciting nightlife of steel bands, casinos, dance clubs, open-air cafes and incredible fine dining. What ever your tropical vacation desires, you are sure to find it on Sint Maarten Saint Martin.

Getting Married:

Now couples from anywhere in the world can get married right here on St. Maarten. A recent change in a 127-year-old law, which prohibited non-residents from getting married, has now been amended. Weddings are becoming as poplar as honeymoons. To qualify, couples must be 21 years of age, make a written request to the Lieutenant Governor for a temporary tourist permit (the permit may not exceed three months). The couple must also submit birth certificates, valid return tickets to their country of origin or other destination outside the Netherlands Antilles. Divorced persons must provide appropriate papers indicating a valid divorce certificate (divorced women may remarry after 306 days have passed). An official sworn translator or notary to the public must translate all documentation into Dutch, then sign, stamp, and seal must be included. Although, legal matters must be handled on the Dutch side, the religious ceremony may take place on either side. The Island has a variety of churches; Catholic, Baptist, Anglican, Methodist, Adventist and Pentecostal. Get married barefoot on the beach, on a scenic hillside, at an open-air Caribbean style church, at a hotel or private villa. What ever you choose, it is sure to be a day to remember! Fax your letter of request to the Lt. Governor, Government Administration Building, at 5995-24 884. Registration with the office of Civil Registry is to take place at least 10 days prior to the planned wedding date. For more information please call, 5995-22 457 or fax 5995-24 267.

Cost: US $276

Waiting Period: 10 days to register at Office of Civil Registry; waiting period is 3 days.

Requirements: Non residents: special permission must be obtained from the Lt. Governor; a written request must be sent to the office at least 2 months prior to intended wedding date; passport, birth certificate and airline tickets; names, dates and birthplaces of bride and grooms’ parents must be on birth certificates; parents’ places of residence must be submitted to the Office of Civil Registry. These documents must be notarized; Non-resident witnesses must request a temporary tourist permit from the Lt. Governor; Documented parental consent for citizens under age 21; proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable; all documents must be in Dutch or translated into Dutch by a sworn official and notarized.

All the information on this page is taken from the public domain on the internet. Destination Wedding Reviews is not responsible for our advertisers, information found in reviews or any incorrect information on these pages. Please confirm - with the appropriate authorities and your travel agent to make sure you have all the proper documents and information. We have done our best to make sure all the information on this page is current and correct. It is suggested that you bring all the documentation you can think of and to have all legal papers notarized. Your travel agent or wedding consultant should be able to guide you through the process!